bumGenius: Freetime, 4.0, or Elemental?

I've decided to compare different bumGenius diapers after receiving so many questions about the difference between them. The three main types of bumGenius diaper out there are the Freetime AIO, the 4.0 One Size Pocket, and the Elemental. First I'll review the 4.0. This is a pocket diaper. If you look closely, you can see that the insert can snap smaller. There is elastic in the back and a waterproof panel in the front.

The Freetime has two flaps that fold out for quick and easy drying.

They fold in for quick and easy "stuffing."

The Elemental has two strips of fabric that are sewn in on both ends.

Here are the three: Elemental, 4.0, and Freetime snapped to the smallest settings. It's hard to say which of the three is the smallest. The Elemental has the smallest leg holes and lowest rise while the 4.0 has the smallest waist.

Here are the three snapped to the largest settings. The 4.0 has the highest rise.

Overall, my favorite is the Freetime. It dries the fastest and has the best overall fit for my daughter. The Elemental takes too long to dry and is too "crunchy," and the 4.0 has to be stuffed (gag) and is more bulky. The 4.0 insert also takes longer to dry than the Freetime.

	Freetime AIO	4.0 One size Pocket	Elemental
Price at Sweetbottoms:	$19.95	$17.95	$24.95
Leg Holes (smallest setting):	Smallest Leg Holes	Medium Leg Holes	Largest Leg Holes
Waist Size (smallest setting):	Medium Waist	Smallest Waist	Largest Waist
Crotch Size:	Widest Crotch	Narrowest Crotch	Medium Crotch
Rise (largest setting):	Medium Rise	Highest Rise	Shortest Rise
Bulk:	Medium Bulk	Bulkiest	Least Bulky
Dry Time:	Fastest Dry Time	Medium Dry Time	Longest Dry Time
Other Notes:	My overall favorite!	Have to stuff-don’t like. Softest.	“Crunchiest” fabric, not very soft

Lotus Bumz vs. bumGenius

Earlier this week I posted a Lotus Bumz review and giveaway. Today I'll be comparing the Lotus Bumz with the bumGenius 4.0. 

Below you'll see the bumGenius on the left, and the Lotus Bumz on the right. These diapers are definitely shaped differently. The bumGenius is more contoured, and the Lotus Bumz is longer. 

Here are the two diapers at the largest setting. The bumGenius is wider at the top, but the Lotus Bumz is more generous in the crotch area. Also note the prints. I love the Lovelace print from bumGenius, but if you look HERE and HERE you'll see Lotus Bumz has many more prints available (bumGenius has only two; I counted 16 prints from Lotus Bumz). 

Here they are snapped to the smallest setting. The bumGenius is a bit smaller. 

But there are no hip snaps, so when it's snapped onto a very small, wiggly baby, the edges like to slip out of the diaper, like this: 

This isn't as much of a problem with the Lotus Bumz (see hip snap by my thumb). 

I also DISLIKE how the bumGenius insert snaps down (top). It annoys me and makes the diaper difficult to snap and bulky. 

Of course, if you need a longer insert the bumGenius can be unsnapped (but then I worry about the snaps chafing my child or the PUL fabric). I also like how the Lotus Bumz insert is so much softer than the bumGenius insert. 

The Lotus Bumz has a softer leg elastic.

I also love how the back flap is sewn on the Lotus Bumz. The flap is sewn down, so it can't fly up and doesn't need to be constantly tucked into the back of the diaper...

Unlike the bumGenius, which just flies up all the time, like this:

The bumGenius, however, has a nice waterproof area on the front of the diaper to help prevent leaks. 

So there's my comparison review! Be sure to check out the GIVEAWAY (ends 5/15). I also have a chart below:

Lotus Bumz                                                   bumGenius 4.0

$16.97                                     PRICE PER DIAPER                                     $17.95                   

                      
  
           Y                                         HIP SNAPS                                                N


           N                          WATERPROOF FLAP IN FRONT                           Y


           Y                                    SNUG BACK FLAP                                        N

          N                      INSERT SNAPS TO DIFFERENT SIZES                     Y

          Y                         MORE THAN 2 AVAILABLE PRINTS                       N

Ecopipo Vs. bumGenius

I had a hard time coming up with a diaper to compare with Ecopipo diapers. Since nothing in my stash is quite like it, I decided to compare it with something well-known, like a bumGenius.

Here are the two side by side. The Ecopipo is definitely larger, but also narrower in the crotch. The Ecopipo also has three settings for the rise, while the bumGenius has only two. However, the Ecopipo only has two snaps across, while the bumGenius has three.

Here is another shot, this time of the bumGenius on top of the Ecopipo. The front part of the diaper is wider on the bumGenius.

 I like the inside of the Ecopipo. There are double gussets and a snug flap on the back. The bumGenius, on the other hand, has a waterproof panel on the inside front. Both the bumGenius and the Ecopipo come in snaps or aplix.

 Since we've already determined which diaper is LARGER (the Ecopipo), here are the two side by side snapped on the smallest setting:

The leg holes on the bumGenius are quite a bit smaller. Here I can only fit in three fingers (oh no, my pinkie is missing!... lol)

I can nearly fit my entire hand into the leg hole of the Ecopipo when it is snapped on the smallest setting. (Note: if your baby has chunky thighs, then this is the diaper for you!)

Below is my attempt at a comparison chart. Have you tried these two diapers? What do you think about them?

Ecopipo                                                    bumGenius 4.0

$19.31 (or 255 Mexican pesos)     PRICE PER DIAPER                         $17.95                    

                      
   
           Y                                            DOUBLE GUSSETS                           N


           N                                     WATERPROOF FLAP IN FRONT            Y


           Y                                                 SNUG BACK FLAP                       N

          Y                                               OVERLAPPING SNAPS                   N

          Y                 HAS PLENTY OF ROOM FOR A 35 LB TODDLER      N